Food Safety and Quality Management Systems Lead

Life tastes better with ice cream. With 19,000 expert ice cream colleagues and iconic brands like Wall’s, Cornetto, and Ben & Jerry’s, loved in 76 countries, we are the world’s largest Ice Cream company leading the industry. We create iconic ice cream brands that are part of everyday life, bringing moments of joy to millions of people around the world.

Overview: Walls Ice Cream Factory is seeking a dedicated and experienced Quality Management Systems and Food Safety Lead to manage and enhance our quality control systems and ensure the safety and quality of our ice cream products. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in food safety, quality management, and regulatory compliance. The role holder is responsible for the implementation of an externally certified Quality and Food Safety Management System (QMS) and for driving continuous quality improvement activity.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and Implement Quality Assurance Policies: Create and enforce policies and procedures to ensure product quality and safety.
• Conduct Testing and Inspections: Plan, conduct, and monitor testing and inspection of ice cream products to ensure they meet quality standards.
• Document Quality Assurance Activities: Maintain records of internal audits, coordinate Internal audit program for the QMS, and other quality assurance activities.
• Investigate Non-Conformance Issues: Address customer complaints and non-conformance issues and develop corrective and preventive actions.
• Analyse Quality Data: Collect and analyse statistical quality data to identify areas for improvement.
• Deliver Training Programs: Develop and deliver ongoing training programs to educate staff about relevant aspects of the QMS.
• Compliance and Audits: Ensure ongoing compliance with industry regulations and standards, and coordinate on-site audits conducted by external providers.
• Risk Management: Manage risk assessments within the department and implement appropriate corrective actions.
• Manage Documented QMS System: In detail manage the document management systems related to quality and food safety.
• Lead External Audits: Lead external audits and visits by Regulatory Authorities.
• Continuous Improvement: Look for ways to reduce waste and increase efficiency in the organization.
• Report to SU Quality Manager: Provide regular updates and reports to the SU Quality Manager.
• HACCP Team Lead: Participate in the Food Safety Team responsible for setting up HACCP teams to develop, implement, and update HACCP plans.
• Define Controls and Inspections: Establish controls, inspections, sampling plans, and traceability requirements to manage risks from food allergens, microbiological, physical, and chemical contamination.
• Reduce Quality Defects: Apply ICMS/Quality Matrix tools to reduce quality defects and losses.
• Review Operational KPIs: Analyse operational KPIs, loss trees, and data to identify trends, create reports, and maintain performance within the required range.
• Investigate Non-Conformances: Investigate internal quality non-conformances and support the implementation of corrective actions.
• Manage Quality Incidents: Support the management of quality incidents and the implementation of corrective actions.
• Support New Product Implementation: Assess process capability and define standards to support the implementation of new products.
• Expert Point of Contact: Serve as an expert point of contact for Manufacturing on quality and food safety matters.
• Deputise for SU QA Manager: Act as a deputy for the SU QA Manager and other Managers within the team.
• Represent Site on Working Groups: Represent the site on European/Global working groups concerning food safety and other matters.

Professional Qualifications:

• Food Science, Microbiology, Biology, Chemistry or Engineering degree.
• FMCG Manufacturing experience - 3-5 years of experience in food safety and quality management, preferably in the dairy or ice cream industry.
• Comprehensive knowledge of HACCP, GMP, and other food safety regulations (Food Safety Level 4, HACCP Level 4).
• Working knowledge of FSSC or BRC.
• Strong project management and multi-tasking skills.
• Excellent problem-solving and analytical skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Personal Profile:

• Educated to degree level with a strong technical background and understanding of food safety management requirements.
• Extensive experience in Quality Assurance, Laboratory, and food safety management.
• A dynamic individual and real leader, prepared to take responsibility for departmental and site issues, leading to resolutions.
• Demonstrates the ability to create and maintain a high level of appropriately directed activity, with the capacity to work hard, drive, and stamina.
• Possesses excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Actively influences events rather than passively accepting them, seizes opportunities when they arise, and originates action.
• Motivates and manages people to achieve group objectives, constructively critiques performance, and seeks improvement.
• A logical problem solver with the ability to coach others.
• Maintains a continuous improvement mindset.
• Looks beyond the issues of the day to spot trends and turn them into long-term plans.
• Possesses a good level of computer literacy.
• Confident in holding team members accountable for delivery.